Device for operating x-ray apparatus.



w. KLEINBERG. DEC'D.

M. DEUTSCH. ADMINISTRATOR. DEVICE FOR OPERATING X-RAY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10. |9l5- 1,282,238. Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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DEVICE FOR OPERATING X-RAY APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10. 1916.

1,282,238. Patented Oat. 22, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. l524i 31513 at f 01 n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. v

WILLIAM KLEINBERG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; MAURICE DEUTSCH ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID WILLIAM KLEINBERG, DECEASED.

DEVICE FOR OPERATING X-RAY APPARATUS.

. Specification of Letters iatent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

Application filed August 10, 1916. Serial No. 114,194.

I Ray Apparatus, of which the following is a ondary,

specification.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for generating X-rays; and particularly to a device for operating apparatus of the kind mentioned comprising a hightension transformer and devices separate therefrom for energizing the transformer.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a devicefor operating X-rayproducing apparatus without waste of energy or loss of eiiiciency, dueto heating and other causes; to design such a device so that it will be adapted to be employed with equal facility in connection with either alternating or direct current; and to arrange the parts of such a device, which will include mechanism whereby the current is varied in the primary of the transformer in order to make it have an inductive'efi'ect on the secin such wise that they can be operated, adjusted and controlled to the best advantage. y

A further object of my invention is to produce a combination of elements which have the character outlined above and can be made up in compact form and disposed in a space of restricted dimensions, so that the operator can readily move the same about; and which further is capable of delivering a sufficiently large output to beable to meet the most exacting requirements that are encountered in actual use.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention are fully set forth in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the characteristic features of my invention are precisely defined in the appended claims. This disclosure, however, is to be taken as explanatory only; as I may resort to embodiments of my invention other than that actually shown herein; and may vary the details of the construction utilized in the ractice of my invention to the full eXtent indicated by the general meanings of the terms in which the claims are expressed.

On the drawings v Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections used in the practice of my invention. I

Fig. 2 is a top plan of a switchboard constituting Part of the construction employed in the practiceof my'invention;

3 is a bottom plan of the same;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the casing in which the construction employed in the practice of my invention can be contained; and

Fig. 5'is a side elevation of a detail.

The same numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout.

In the particular description of the apparatus which I prefer to use to secure the objects of my invention, I employ the'numeral 1, toindicate the turns of the primary of a transformer forproducing a high-tension current in a secondary winding 2. This transformer is preferably of the- Tesla or oscillation type, having no iron or other magnetic material therein; the primary. 1 consisting of a few inner turns of relatively thick wire and the secondary 2 of a large number of outer turns of relatively thin wire; but I may of course use transformers of other suitable constructions, with or without iron therein, as conditions may suggest or demand; since the particular type of transformer adopted is not apart of my in vention. To the terminals of the winding 2 the tubes or other means, not shown, for generating the X-rays are attached. The primary 1 is adapted to be connected to a supply circuit whose leads are indicated at 3; and the means for varying the current through the primary 1,and therefore operating the transformer, comprises elements in the form of vibrator coils 4, in parallel, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The vibrator coils l'may encircle ma' netic cores, indicated in broken lines in the gure just mentioned, and adapted to operate vibrator mechanism such as vibrators-5; preferably one for each coil -i; each of which vibrators includes a movable spring contact connected to its associated coil 4, and a fixed contact codperating therewith and joined by a conductor to a switch 6-. These switches 6 unite the terminals at one end of the coils 4 throng. a

' common electrical conductor to one terminal of the primary 1; thus putting each coil in circuit with all the turns of the primary.

The coils 4, though in multiple with each other, are thus in series with the transformer; and the supply circuit is connected to the opposite terminals of the primary and the vibrator coils, as will be readily understood.

IVith such an arrangement of currentvarying devices, enough current can be made eifective in the primary circuit to give a very large output in the secondary 2; and at the same time the waste and loss so apt to occur to a prohibitive degree in apparatus of this sort, and often ending with the cessation of the ability to continue operating, can be almost wholly avoided. Experience has shown that practically every vibrator actuated by a coil becomes useless when more than five or six amperes are flowing in the circuit, largely because the parts are made hot and the vibrator caused to stick and stop working. This fact indicates Why portable X-ray apparatus has not heretofore been commercially successful. In order to make X-ray apparatus of the small compass required to enable the same to be portable, the designer has been generally obliged to select a circuit breaker of the vibrator type and to confine himself to a single coil; and therefore he has been powerless to utilize the amount of current needed in order to secure the desired results. On the other hand, when provision was made to utilize as much current as was necessary the apparatus could only be built of such large size that it could no longer be easily carried about from one place to another.

In my invention I produce a combination including a transformer and means for operating it that is both portable and adapted to employ to advantage the amount of current that is essential to generate X-rays of the penetrating force that distinguishes the best apparatus that is now being made; and I am further enabled to attain such ends by the use of either alternating or direct current at will. \Vhen the former is used, the current in the coils 4 must be approximately the same, in order to obtain satisfactory results; but when the latter kind of current is employed, the current in the coils 4 does not have to be equal; it may in fact be very unequal in the two coils 4 without disturbing the normal operation of the apparatus. In either case the two vibrator coils can be made to work in perfect unison.

I adapt my invention to be operated with either direct or alternating current by connections that not only unite the currentvarying devices 4 to the supply leads 3, but also adjust the coils 4 by changing the number of turns thereof when the character of the operating current is altered. The terminals of both coils, 4 at the ends remote from the vibrators 5 are joined to a pair of contact blocks 7; one of which is also connected to a contact 8 adapted to be connected to a terminal 11 of one supply lead 3 by a pivoted switch-blade 12. The blocks 7, with the plug, not shown, that is received between them, constitute a plug-in device; and when the blade 12 bridges the points 8 and 11, current can flow through both the coils 4. The current in this instance will be direct current; and all the turns of wire in both coils will. be traversed. I also utilize a second pair of contact blocks 9, each of which is connected to a point between the terminals of one of the coils 4; and one of which is also connected to a terminal 10, likewise within reach of the Switchblade 12. When a plug is inserted between the blocks 9, a part of both coils 4 is put in circuit simultaneously; and the number of turns and consequently the impedance of the coils can be automatically adjusted and lessened. The blocks 9 and the contact 10 are intended for alternating cur: rent, and When the means for connecting in the coils 4, comprising the plug-in device 9, are in service, the connections including the other plug-in device will of course be rendered inoperative by removing the plug from between the blocks 7; thus opening said connections.

A condenser 13 is provided for each coil and connected to one terminal thereof and to the lead 3 adjacent the primary 1; so as to be in parallel; that is, the two condensers will be in multiple with each other, and with the primary 1 and the vibrators 5 of the two coils 4. The purpose of this method of connecting each condenser in shunt with its vibrator and the primary 1 is not merely to prevent sparking at the contact points of the vibrators but also to insure capacity in the circuit of the transformer.

Another advantage due to the relative location of the elements of my combination is the fact that both vibrator coil circuits can be separately regulated or tuned, this end is achieved by the vibrators 5; each of which includes an adjustably mounted contact terminal. By connecting in the coils 4 singly with the switches 6, and observing an ammeter A in the lead containing the switch 12, the operator can ascertain how much current each coil takes by itself; and then, by manipulating the vibrator contacts, he can alter the resistance of the coils 4 so that each coil will take its proportionate amount when the two are thrown into circuit together. When a plug is removed from the blocks 9 and inserted between the blocks 7, or vice versa, the two coils are automatically put in condition for the kind of current that is to be passed through them.

Of course more than two vibrator coils in multiple may be provided if desired, and any one of the vibrator coils can be employed singly if special conditions so require.

In Fig. 4 I show a casing 14 in which the above-mentioned parts are housed. This casing contains the means' for producing a high-tension current or transformer T, the two condensers 13 indicated by the letter C, and the vibrator coils 4; in separate compartments; and over these parts is disposed a plate of insulation. 15, which carries the switches 6 and 12, the plug-in devices, the means for attaching the supply leads 3, and other elements. The u per andlower faces of the plate 15, with t e peculiar arrangement of the different electrical elements thereon, is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The current enters by way of the contact to which the positive lead 3 is joined, and passes to the ammeter A, united across a pair of contacts 16. One of these contacts is connected to the contact joined to the positive lead 3, just mentioned; and the other is connected to a terminal 11; by means of constrips 21, supported ductors secured to the lower face of the plate 15; as indicated in Fig. 3; and in fact all the fixed conductors or leads between the various points on the insulator plate 15 will be located on the lower surface or bottom of this insulator member or plate; while the switch-blades 6 and 12, which are movable, will be on the top. From the contact point 11 the current from the supply circuit flows across the switch-blade 12 to one or the other of contacts 8 or 10; the former being joined by a conductor to one of the contact blocks 7, also on the lower face of the plate 15; and the latter being joined by a conductor to one of the contact blocks 9. From the blocks 7 lead loose, insulated wires 17 to the coils 4; and from the blocks 9 lead similar wires 18 to the vibrator coils.

The opposite terminals of the coils 4 are joined by wires 19 to the movable vibrator contacts 20, which are mounted on spring at their ends upon posts 22; which rest upon the bottom of the casing 14. These posts are braced by cross bars 23, one of which is in front of each coil 4. From the movable contact of each coil, the current passes to the fixed contacts 24; each of which is connected by a suitable conductor, indicated by a broken line in Fig. 4, to a contact strip 25, which is made fast to the inner wall at one end of the casing. These strips 25 terminate in contacts 26; each of which is adapted to touch a contact strip 27, on the bottom of the plate 15, at the end thereof, when this plate is put in place over the contents of the casing 14.

Each of the strips 27 is joined to one of separate pairs of contact studs 28; which, like the contacts 8, 10, 11, and 16, extend through to the top. of the plate 15; and are adapted to be engaged by the switches 6. The other contact of each pair is entirely disconnected, and serves merely as a resting point when its associated switch is in offposition. The pivots of the switches are joined on the bottom of the plate 15 by a conducting strip 29; whereby current may flow from the parts 27 and 28 across the switches 6 to the strip 29, and through a conductor 30 to a contact 31 on the lower side of the plate. This contact is so located that it can be superposed on a contact 32, fixed in the casing 14, and joined by a wire 33 to the transformer primary. A similar wire 33 leads from the other terminal of the primary to a contact 34, fixed on the inside of. the casing, in position to be engaged by a contact 35 on the bottom of the plate 15, beside the contact 31. This contact 35 leads the current from the primary back to the contact 3, to which the negative supply lead is united; and the circu1t shown in diagram in Fig. 1 is thus completed.

The elements to which the leads 3 are joined are preferably in the form of sockets on the upper face of the plate 15; and so are the contacts 16. Besides the contacts for the leads 3 are a pair of socket contacts 37 for a lamp L. Adjacent the blocks 7 and 9 are apertures 38, for the purpose of permitting the plugs to be manipulated from the top of the plate.

Each fixed contact 24 carries heat-radiating plates or elements 39; and similar elements are mounted on each movable vibrator contact 20, and to'the sides of the posts 22. I mount the fixed contacts on upright leaf springs 39, bent at their lower ends and fastened down under post 40. The contacts 24 are made rigid with the springs 39, and can be adjusted by shanks 41 engaging threaded bores in the posts 40; these shanks terminating outside the casing in suitable knobs. By turning the knobs, the. shanks 41 can be screwed in to press the springs 39' and contacts 24 toward the contacts 20. The posts 40 also carry locking screws 42, and may be split near the top from one side inward to the bores for the shanks 41, to enable the screws 42 to cause the split portions of the posts to bind the shanks 41 firmly in adjusted position. The shanks 41 are of course disconnected from the springs 39'. and

merely abut against same at their inner ends.

The wire 33 leading to the contact 34 is also connected to the secondary of the transformer T: and on the upper face of the plate 15 is mounted an insulating post 43, containing a conductor 44, united to the contact To the upper end of this post the means for generating the X-rays may be attached. A similar post 43. with conductor '44 therein. joined to the other terminal of the secondary. extends upward from the transformer T in the casing; and passes through a hole 45 in the plate 15. Above the transformer and the condensers, the plate 15 will he as wide as the casing 14; but above the coils 4 it will be cut out along one edge, as shown at 4,6 in Figs. 2 and 3. so as to be narrower; and expose the vibrator contacts.

This narrower portion will allow the locking screws to project upward above the rim of the box or casing, so that the knobs on their upper ends can be conveniently grasped for manipulation. The casing, as indicated in Fig. 5, may have a hinged cover 47. The Wider portion is shown broken away at the left on Figs. 2 and 3 to save space.

One of the contacts 37 for the lamp will be joined to the contact for the negative lead 3, and the other contact 37 will be connected to the positive terminal of the ammeter A. The plate 15 may also carry a couple of socket contacts 48, for attaching a cauterizing instrument; one contact 48 being joined to the negative lead terminal 3, and the other to the adjacent contact strip 27.

One of the mechanical merits of my invention resides in the fact that the plate 15 in effect constitutes a switch-board'carrying all the necessary connections for my apparatus together with the switches and plugs for controlling the same. When the plate 15 is put into the casing, over the transformer, condensers, and vibrator coils, the contacts 26 and 27, 31 and 32, 34 and 35 come together automatically; andthe operator needs only to connect the leads 3 to the line contacts,

the ammeter A to the contacts 16, the lamp to the contacts 37, after the plate is in place, to be able to manipulate the plugs and switches to start the apparatus into operation. The cauterizing instrument is of course connected to the contacts 48 only when the apparatus is to be used for that special purpose. The Wires 17 and 18 are made long enough to enable the plate to be removed without disconnecting them; but if desired, registering contacts, such as 26 and 27, may be used to join the blocks 7 and 9 to the terminals of the coils 4.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, each movable contact 20 is joined to a condenser terminal 48, and the opposite terminals of the condensers are connected to the contact 34.

My apparatus can very conveniently be carried about and can be used wherever electrical power is available. It normally gives a large output for the amount of currentconsinned. It is very easy to manipulate; and the needed adjustments can be made simply by connecting in an ammeter and turning the knobs on the shanks 41 to regulate the action of the vibrators. At the same time any of the parts can easily be gotten at for inspection and repair, simply by lifting the plate 15.

By means of the two separate switches 6, the vibrator coil circuits can be tuned or adjusted separately; and only one ammeter is needed. V

My invention is of course not limited in its usefulness to the production of X-rays only; but may be employed for other purposes as well; such as the generation of waves or electric oscillations for wireless telegraphy.

Having described my invention, What I believe to be new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A device for operating X-ray apparatus, comprising a transformer having primary turns, and means comprising a plurality of coils in multiple, each connected by a common conductor in circuit with all of said primary turns, for varying current therein to operate the transformer.

2. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, current-varying means therefor includin a coil, and means for permitting the num er of turns in said coil to be adjusted to adapt the same to be operated by either alternating or direct current.

3. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, a plurality of current-varying devices therefor, arranged. in multiple, each of said devices including a coil, and means for permitting the number of turns of said coils to be adjusted to adapt themto be operated by either direct or alternating current.

4. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, a pair of coils in parallel connected to the transformer, a vibrator for each coil, a condenser for each vibrator, and connections for putting each condenser in shunt with the vibrator of its coil and the primary of the transformer.

5. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, a plurality of parallel current-varying devices therefor, and connections including plug-in devices for enabling the whole or a part of said current-varying devices to be energized from a supply circuit.

6. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, a plurality of parallel current-varying-coils for the transformer, connections comprising a plug-in device for enabling the whole of said coils to be energized from a supply circuit, and connections comprising another plug-in device for enabling a part of said coils to be energized from said supply circuit, said last-named connections to be open when the first-named connections are closed.

7. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, current-varying means therefor, means for enabling the current-varying means to be operated by either alternating or direct current, and a condenser connected to said means and in multiple with the transformer.

8. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a transformer, a pair of coils having vibrators to operate said transformer, said coils being in parallel,

- former, condensers, and current-varying means for connecting the whole of said coils each coil and in shunt with the vibrator thereof and the primary of the transformer.

9. A device for operating X-ray producing apparatus comprising a casing; a transmeans contained in said casing; a switchboard adapted to be removably disposed in said casing above said means, said condenser and said transformer; a pair of secondary terminals for registering contacts mounted on said switchboard and said casing and adapted to be superposed when said board is disposed above the transformer, the condensers and the current-varying means; connections for said contacts; and controlling devices for said contacts and connections mounted on ,said switchboard, said switchboard being of reduced width adjacent one end to give access to the currentvarying means to adjust the same.

10. A device for operating X-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary, means including a coil and a vibrator for varying current in said primary,

and means including connections for per mitting the whole or a part of said coil to be put in circuit to enable the transformer to be operated by either direct or alternating current. I

11. A device for operating X-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary, means including a plurality of coils in multiple and a vibrator for each of same for varying current in said primary, and means including connections for permitting the whole or a part of said coils to be put in circuit to enablethe transformer to be operated by either direct or alternating current.

12. A device for operatingX-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary, means comprising a vibrator for varying current in the primary, and a condenser in shunt with the vibrator and the primary, and in series with the remainder of said means.

13. A device for operating X-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary, means including a coil and a vibrator between the coil and the primary for varying current therein, and a condenser in shunt with the vibrator and the primary, and in series with the coil.

14. A device for operating X-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary, means including a coil and a vibrator between the coil and said primary for,

varying current in the transformer, a condenser in shunt with said vibrator and said primary, and means for permitting the Whole or a part of said coil to be put in circuit to enable the transformer to be operated by either direct or alternating current. 1

15. A device for operating X-ray appa ratus comprising a transformer having a primary, means comprising a plurality of coils in parallel for varying current in said primary, a vibrator for each coil between the same and the primary, and a condenser associated with each vibrator and in shunt with the same andthe primary winding.

16. A device for operating X-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary, means comprising coils in parallel and a vibrator for each between the coils and said primary for varying current in the latter, a condenser associated with each vibrator and in shunt with same and the primary, and means comprehending connections for permitting the whole or a part of said coils to be put in circuit to enable the transformer to be operated by either direct or alternating current.

17. A device for operating X-ray apparatus comprising a transformer having a primary and a plurality of circuits in parallel connected by a common conductor in circuit with the primary, each of said circuits including means for operating said transformer and independently adjusting said circuits.

1.8. A device for operating X-ray apparatus, comprising a transformer having primary turns and means comprising a plurality of coils in multiple, and vibrator mechanism for said coils, said vibrator mechanism and each of said coils being connected in circuit with all of said primary turns,

August, 1916.

WILLIAM KLEINBERG. 

